Refrigerated shipping container

ABSTRACT

A two component refrigerated shipping container is disclosed including an outer container and an inner container, said inner container being located within the outer container but isolated from the walls thereof so that the product to be shipped can be packed around the inner container and refrigerant added to the inner container, and said outer container including top closure flaps which cover the product for shipment yet leave the refrigerant filled inner container open for reicing and deicing.

United, States Patent 1111 ,5

[72] Inventors Edward L. Osborne [56] References Cited Kansafi CltyiUNITED STATES PATENTS wagnmoverlmd Park 1 713 682 /1929 Walter 62/371x P8031828 2,133,021 /1938 Ferguson (229/6A) med mu-3,1969 2 734 349 2/l956Repkingetal 62/372 [45] Patented Feb. 23, 1971 3033l0l 5/1962 M 229/6AAssignee westvaco Corporation eyers ux) 3,182,884 5/1965 Waldron229/l4l-l 3,399,546 9/1968 Kuns et al. 62/371 Primary ExaminerDavis T.Moorehead Att0rneys Larry C. Hall and Robert S. Grimshaw ABSTRACT: A twocomponent refrigerated shipping con- [54] gfi nf fi g CONTAINER taineris disclosed including an outer container and an inner g container, saidinner container being located within the outer [52] U.S.Cl 229/14;container but isolated from the walls thereof so that the 229/23;62/371; 229/ product to be shipped can be packed around the inner con-[5l] lnt.Cl 365d 5/58, tainer and refrigerant added to the innercontainer, and said Fd 3/08 outer container including top closure flapswhich cover the Field of Search 229/23 (B), product for shipment yetleave the refrigerant filled inner con- 6 (A), l5, 14 (H); 62/37l, 372

tainer open for reicing and deicing.

PATENTEUFEBZSIQY! $555,320

sum 2 OF 2 vws/vroks Edward L. Osborne Frank/m J. Wagner By 4 M ATTORNEYREFRIGERATED SHIPPING CONTAINER SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This inventionrelates to improvements in shipping containers, and more particularly torelatively lightweight refrigerated containers which have generalutility in the transport of perishable goods. The container of theinvention in its preferred embodiment employs a novel refrigerantretaining an outer container reinforcing insert adapted to receive aheat absorbing material. The invention was developed as a result of theneed for a shipping container which would separate the refrigerant fromthe product. As an attendant benefit to separating the product from therefrigerant, it was desired to construct a container which wouldeliminate the possibility of bruising the product to be shipped and alsoprovide a means for reicing the container if necessary without reopeningit. The container employed by this invention may be made from solidfiberboard, corrugated paperboard or any other suitable material.

The successful shipping of relatively fragile, perishable goods and thelike has long presented a problem. It is important, for instance, tokeep the product completely fresh and relatively unmovable in theshipping container. Regardless of the care with which the packages arehandled, damage will often occur if the refrigerant dissolves orotherwise disappears and if the contents of the container are allowed toloosely move around.

In some of the prior art containers, which this package is intended toreplace,'the exterior of the package was made from wood, or fromcorrugated paperboard with wooden inserts. Obviously these containerscould not satisfy the basic requirements of product safety andcontinuous refrigerability that has been achieved by the present novelcontainer.

It is therefore among the objects of this invention to provide arefrigerated shipping container for shipping corn, radishes, spinach andmost other fruit and produce. The invention would also be useful as areplacementfor currently used bagin-box shipping containers with asimple reversal of function of the two components.

Another object is to provide the user with a refrigerated shippingcontainer which can be trucked to the field in knocked-down conditionthereby offering the advantages of ease of handling, a minimum ofstorage space required and a consequent reduction in transportationcharges. The shipping container would then be set up at the site, packedwith the product in the field, and iced at the growers shed withoutopening and repacking, thereby saving one step from that required withconventional refrigerated shipping containers. This feature also offersmore insurance against the possibility of bruising the product since itis only handled once from the grower to the market. v

A further object of the present invention is that no stitching or othermanipulation is required by the packer. The container may also betapered for nesting when not in use and improved air circulation duringshipment. Upon arrival at the market, the container, because of itsconstruction, is easy to dispose of simply by knocking it down againinto its flattened condition.

Still another object of the invention is the advantage of betterinsulation and less water absorption because of the novel constructionand design.

Yet another advantage of the present container is the important featureof being able to add additional refrigerant without reopening to exposethe product. The unique refrigerant insert which allows this provisionalso gives the container improved stacking strength.

In addition, the container of this invention is preferably vented toprovide added ventilation and to keep the product fresh. Vents are alsoprovided with wet ice refrigerant so that the refrigerant effluent doesnot remain in the container. The blanks from which the two parts of theshipping container are formed are preferably coated or otherwise treatedwith a wax or plastic covering to protect the container from thedeteriorating effects of wet ice effluent. Of course, the unique designof the present invention is not limited to refrigerated products becauseit could just as readily be used for shipping two difierent products,unmixed in the same container. It would, for instance, be possible topack the product in the inner container and surround the product with arefrigerant. The bag-in-a-box technique could be used for this purpose.However, this arrangement would result in a reversal of function of thetwo components of the shipping container so that reicing would not bepossible without reopening the closure flaps of the outer container.Hence this modification would only be useful where an initialapplication of ice was sufficient to retain the freshness of theproduct, or where the initially iced container was to be shipped in arefrigerated truck or rail car. On theother hand, the novel shippingcontainer of the present invention when used in the above noted waywould permit readily available access to the product being shipped topermit inspection or constant supervision without reopening.

It is, moreover, the purpose and object of this invention to improve thestructure, utility and effectiveness of refrigerated shippingcontainers, and more particularly shipping containers wherein therefrigerant is wet ice located within an opentopped cell which is inturn securely fixed in the center of the product-carrying container.

The invention also consists of the parts and in the arrangements andcombinations of parts hereinafter specifically described and claimed. Anexample of the preferred embodiment is accordingly depicted in theaccompanying drawing which forms a part of this disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 shows in blank form one configurationthat the shipping container might take;

FIG. 2 shows in blank form an example of the refrigerant carrying insertfor the shipping container;

FIG. 3 shows the setup form of the two parts with the refrigerantcarrying insert about to be placed inside the shipping container;

FIG. 4 shows the assembled container prior to being filled with theproduct to be shipped; and,

FIG. 5 shows the container completely closed and filled withrefrigerant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The container of this invention consists of twointegral parts, one of which fits inside of, and is locked in place by asecond larger part. The inner part comprises, in its preferredembodiment, a vented tubelike configuration which is designed to hold aquantity of ice or. other refrigerant, while the second or larger parttakes the form of a conventional tapered carton for housing the productto be shipped under refrigeration. In the assembled condition, therefrigerant tube is positively located in the center of the outercontainer by means of flaps or the like located on the lower end of thetube, and by locking flaps foldably attached to the upper edges of theouter container sidewalls which lock the upper end of the refrigeranttube in place. Prior to folding over and locking the outer container topclosure flaps, the product is packed around the refrigerant tube, andwhen the flaps are folded over, they completely enclose the productleaving the refrigerant tube open for later reapplication of ice orother refrigerant. This configuration means that the product is handledonly once, yet there is opportunity for additional reicing. Also,because of the existence of thecentral ice cell, good stacking strengthis achieved.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 1 of the drawing, there is shown atypical blank from which the outer container of the present inventionmight be constructed. The embodiment specifically described herein istapered, however, it could just as readily have straight sides. Anadvantage of the tapered sidewall configuration lies in the increasedstrength the container obtains where loads are absorbed both verticallyand horizontally. The preferred container comprises four taperedsidewalls 10, 12, 14 and 16 which are separated from one another by foldlines 11, 13 and 15. These sidewalls are I suitably sized so as toproduce a container of the desired configuration for the product to beshipped. Adjacent one of the sidewalls 16 is a closure tab ormanufacturers joint 18 hingedly attached along fold line 17. Aself-locking bottom closure is also preferred and illustrated althoughany form of bottom closure could be used. Typical self-locking bottomclosure flaps 19, 20, 21 and 22 are shown foldably attached to thecontainer sidewalls along the fold lines 43, 44, 45 and 46. These flapsare arranged so that after the container is formed by securing tab 18 tothe opposite sidewall 10, the bottom closure flaps are interlocked withone another.

To set up the locking bottom closure, flap 19 is folded initially, thenthe flaps 20 and 22 are folded over flap 19. Finally the flap 21 isfolded over flaps 20, 22 and tucked under flap 19. This step isaccomplished, without bending flap 21, by forcing the already foldedflaps 19, 20, 22 down inside the container until the tab on the end offlap 21 slips readily under the slot on flap 19. Reversing this sequenceof folding steps allows the outer container to be quickly andefficiently knocked down after shipment so as to resume its flattenedcondition for subsequent reuse.

Along the upper end of the outer container sidewalls 10, 12, 14 and 16are located the top closure flaps 23, 24, 25 and 26 separated from therespective sidewalls by fold lines 47, 48, 49, 50. Each of the top flaps23-26 contain the novel locking flanges which are adapted to locate andsecure the center ice cell inside the container.

Two of the top flaps 23 and 25 include locking flanges 27, 29 formed byfold lines 31, 33 respectively located in the flaps themselves. Flap 23contains additional cut lines 35, 36 which extend from the ends of foldline 31 to a pair of slot portions 51, 52 located at each side of thelocking flange 27. Similarly, flap 25 contains additional cut lines 39,40 which extend from the ends of fold line 33 to a pair of slot portions55, 56 located at each side of the locking flange 29. The slot portionsformed at each side of the locking flanges 27, 29 are so located tocooperate with tab portions formed on the locking flanges of theremaining two top flaps 24,26.

Top flaps 24, 26 hingedly attached to their respective sidewalls alongfold lines 48, 50, include locking flanges 28, formed by fold lines 32,34 respectively located in the flaps themselves. Flap 24 containsadditional cut lines 37, 38 which extend from the ends of fold line 32to form a pair of tab elements 53, 54. These tabs as hereinbeforementioned, engage the slots 52, 55 of locking flanges 27,29 respectivelywhen the outer container A is set up. Similarly flap 26 containsadditional cut lines 41, 42 which extend from the ends of fold line 34to form a second pair of tab elements 57, 58. The tabs engage the slots51, 56 of locking flanges 27, 29 respectively when the outer container Ais set up. When the top closure flaps are folded to cover the packedproduct, the locking flanges are manipulated so as to securely lock theinner container in position. At this time the product is protected fromcontamination from the field to the user and the open topped ice cell isexposed for additional reicing and for deicing at the terminal point.

if, on the other hand, it was desired to ice the container only once andthen ship it in a refrigerated car or truck so that additional icingwould not be needed, it is within the contemplation of this invention touse only one pair of the top closure flaps as a means for locking theinner ice cell in position. The other pair of top closure flaps couldthen be folded over and stitched or taped together to completely encloseboth the produce and the ice cell.

The novel outer or product carrying container comprises conventionalsidewalls, a self-locking bottom and top closure flaps which includelocking flanges for retaining the inner ice cell in position.

FIG. 2 of the drawing illustrates the ice cell tube B in blank form. Thetube comprises four sidewalls 60, 62, 64 and 66 separated from oneanother by fold lines 61, 63 and 65. Attached along fold line 67 to thewall panel 66, is a closure tab or manufacturers joint 68 for securingthe tube together in its preferred rectangular configuration prior toinsertion inside the outer container. in order that the ice cell tube Bmight be more securely positionedinside the outer container, provisionis made for flanges or flaps on the bottom of the tube which extend fromthe tube to the respective sidewalls of the outer container. The tubeflanges 70, 72, 74 and 76 are each connected to a respective sidewallalong fold lines 71, 73, 75 and When the ice cell tube is set up and tab68 secured to panel 60, the bottom flanges 70, 72, 74 and 76 are foldedoutward about fold lines 71, 73, 75 and 77 and the tube is inserted inthe outer container as shown in H6. 3. The product is next packed aroundthe inner container substantially as illustrated in FIG. 4, then theinner container or ice cell is filled with refrigerant. Finally, thelocking flanges 27, 28, 29 and 30 are folded over the respectivesidewalls of the ice cell and the tabs and slots on the locking flangesengaged with one another to secure the package for shipment.

FIG. 5 shows the completely assembled, packed and iced container readyfor shipment. It is clear that the integrated package is strong andsecure and because the ice cell is left open, it is readily reicedshould the original refrigerant melt.

It will be understood that only a preferred embodiment of the inventionhas been disclosed and changes in detail may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the field and scope of the invention.

We claim: I

l. A two component shipping container for shipping refrigerated productscomprising:

a. an outer container product component formed from a scored and cutblank of paperboard or the like having a plurality of sidewalls hingedlyconnected to one another along fold lines;

b. bottom closure flaps foldably attached to the lower edges of each ofsaid outer container sidewalls for closing the entire bottom of saidouter container;

. top closure flaps foldably attached to the upper edges of each of saidouter container sidewalls and having their free edges spaced apart toleave a central opening in the top of said outer container; and

d. an inner container refrigerant component formed from a cut and scoredblank of paperboard or the like having a plurality of sidewalls withmeans attached thereto for maintaining the inner container under thecentral opening of the outer container and spaced from the walls of saidouter container.

2. The shipping container of claim 1 wherein said spacing meanscomprises flaps foldably attached to the lower edges of each of saidinner container sidewalls.

3. The shipping container of claim 2 wherein the top closure flapsattached to said outer container sidewalls each have means on the freeedges thereof for securing the upper end of said inner container inspaced relation to said outer container sidewalls.

4. A two component shipping container for shipping refrigerated productscomprising:

a. an outer container formed from a scored and cut blank of paperboardor the like having a plurality of sidewalls hingedly connected to oneanother along fold lines;

b. bottom closure flaps foldably attached to the lower edges of each ofsaid outer container sidewalls;

c. top closure flaps foldably attached to the upper edges of each ofsaid outer container sidewalls;

d. an inner container fitted inside of and spaced from the walls of saidouter container;

e. said inner container having a plurality of sidewalls hingedlyconnected to one another along fold lines, and means attached theretofor maintaining the inner container in spaced relation to the walls ofsaid outer container;

f. said spacing means comprising flaps foldably attached to the loweredges of each of said inner container sidewalls;

g. the top closure flaps of said outer container each having means onthe free edges thereof for securing the upper end of said innercontainer in spaced relation to said outer container sidewalls; and i iI h. said securing means comprising locking flanges cut from the topclosure flaps which tuck inside said inner container sidewalls to closethe peripheral space around said inner container and leave open theupper end of said inner container.

5. The shipping container of claim 4 wherein the locking flanges of eachtop closure flap are formed by a pair of cut lines which extend from thefree edge of each top closure flap to a fold line lying perpendicular tosaid cut lines and substantially in the center of each top closure flap.

6. The shipping container of claim '5 wherein the locking flanges onalternate opposed pairs of said top closure flaps contain tab elementsformed by the'cut lines, and the locking flanges on the other pairs ofsaid top closure flaps contain slot areas formed by the cut lines sothat the adjacent tabs and slots may interlock with one another when thetop closure flaps are folded to close the peripheral space around saidinner container.

7. The shipping container of claim 6 wherein the outer containersidewalls are tapered throughout their length.

8. The shipping container of claim 7 wherein both the outer containerblank and the inner container blank are coated with a water imperviouscoating.

9. The shipping container of claim 8 wherein both the outer containerblank and the inner container blank are vented for use with wet icerefrigerant.

10. The shipping container of claim wherein said bottom closure flapsare self locking.

1. A two component shipping container for shipping refrigerated productscomprising: a. an outer container product component formed from a scoredand cut blank of paperboard or the like having a plurality of sidewallshingedly connected to one another along fold lines; b. bottom closureflaps foldably attached to the lower edges of each of said outercontainer sidewalls for closing the entire bottom of said outercontainer; c. top closure flaps foldably attached to the upper edges ofeach of said outer container sidewalls and having their free edgesspaced apart to leave a central opening in the top of said outercontainer; and d. an inner container refrigerant component formed from acut and scored blank of paperboard or the like having a plurality ofsidewalls with means attached thereto for maintaining the innercontainer under the central opening of the outer container anD spacedfrom the walls of said outer container.
 2. The shipping container ofclaim 1 wherein said spacing means comprises flaps foldably attached tothe lower edges of each of said inner container sidewalls.
 3. Theshipping container of claim 2 wherein the top closure flaps attached tosaid outer container sidewalls each have means on the free edges thereoffor securing the upper end of said inner container in spaced relation tosaid outer container sidewalls.
 4. A two component shipping containerfor shipping refrigerated products comprising: a. an outer containerformed from a scored and cut blank of paperboard or the like having aplurality of sidewalls hingedly connected to one another along foldlines; b. bottom closure flaps foldably attached to the lower edges ofeach of said outer container sidewalls; c. top closure flaps foldablyattached to the upper edges of each of said outer container sidewalls;d. an inner container fitted inside of and spaced from the walls of saidouter container; e. said inner container having a plurality of sidewallshingedly connected to one another along fold lines, and means attachedthereto for maintaining the inner container in spaced relation to thewalls of said outer container; f. said spacing means comprising flapsfoldably attached to the lower edges of each of said inner containersidewalls; g. the top closure flaps of said outer container each havingmeans on the free edges thereof for securing the upper end of said innercontainer in spaced relation to said outer container sidewalls; and h.said securing means comprising locking flanges cut from the top closureflaps which tuck inside said inner container sidewalls to close theperipheral space around said inner container and leave open the upperend of said inner container.
 5. The shipping container of claim 4wherein the locking flanges of each top closure flap are formed by apair of cut lines which extend from the free edge of each top closureflap to a fold line lying perpendicular to said cut lines andsubstantially in the center of each top closure flap.
 6. The shippingcontainer of claim 5 wherein the locking flanges on alternate opposedpairs of said top closure flaps contain tab elements formed by the cutlines, and the locking flanges on the other pairs of said top closureflaps contain slot areas formed by the cut lines so that the adjacenttabs and slots may interlock with one another when the top closure flapsare folded to close the peripheral space around said inner container. 7.The shipping container of claim 6 wherein the outer container sidewallsare tapered throughout their length.
 8. The shipping container of claim7 wherein both the outer container blank and the inner container blankare coated with a water impervious coating.
 9. The shipping container ofclaim 8 wherein both the outer container blank and the inner containerblank are vented for use with wet ice refrigerant.
 10. The shippingcontainer of claim 9 wherein said bottom closure flaps are self locking.